Skip to main content

$162K Lost in Fake Social Media Ads!



The Singapore Police have issued a public alert regarding a rise in phishing scams through social media advertisements, with at least 173 reports filed since September 1, 2024, and total losses amounting to at least $162,000. The scams involve fraudulent ads or sponsored posts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, offering significant discounts on products such as accessories, electronics, food, and cleaning supplies.

Victims, drawn in by the attractive offers, click on the provided links and are directed to phishing websites that prompt them to enter their bank card details and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for "purchases." Alternatively, some victims are asked to complete a short survey and are told they qualify for an even bigger discount, leading them to provide payment details for delivery fees. Ultimately, the victims realize they've been scammed after unauthorized charges appear on their accounts, or the items they "purchased" never arrive.

Precautionary Measures:

The Police advise the public to take the following steps to avoid falling victim to these scams:

  • ADD: Install the ScamShield app, set up transaction limits, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multifactor Authentication for banking apps, and disable overseas transactions for credit/debit cards. Never share your bank details or OTPs with others.

  • CHECK: Use official sources like the ScamShield Helpline (1799) or website to verify suspicious messages, ads, or links. Contact the merchant directly to ensure the legitimacy of the advertisement.

  • TELL: Inform authorities, family, and friends about scams. Report any suspicious transactions to your bank immediately and flag fraudulent ads on social media platforms.

For more information or to report suspicious activity, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg, call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799, or contact the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000. For urgent assistance, dial ‘999’. 



Labels:
Location: Singapore

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ICA Foils Smuggling of 42,000 Cartons of Illegal Cigarettes

  Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority foiled a major smuggling attempt on August 20, 2025. Officers at the Pasir Panjang Scanning Station detected anomalies in a scanned forty-foot container declared to be carrying rubber mats. A physical inspection revealed the container held a massive quantity of contraband. Authorities discovered forty-two thousand cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and four thousand eight hundred packets of duty-unpaid tobacco hidden inside. The case was referred to Singapore Customs for a full investigation. The agency reiterated its commitment to securing Singapore's borders against such illicit activities while ensuring the facilitation of legitimate trade and travel.
Post a Comment
Read more

Unlicensed Massage Parlors and Vice Activities in Geylang and Jurong Busted

  In Singapore, police arrested 35 individuals aged between 25 and 58 for their alleged involvement in vice-related activities. The arrests followed a series of enforcement operations conducted between November 12, 2024, and December 6, 2024. In the first operation, which took place from November 12 to December 3, officers from the Clementi Police Division, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) raided six establishments. These included a massage parlor and five outlets masquerading as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics located along Jurong East Avenue 1 and Jurong East Street 31. During the raids, eight women aged between 34 and 49 were apprehended for allegedly offering sexual services. A 58-year-old man was also arrested for managing a place of assignation under the Women’s Charter. Preliminary investigations revealed irregularities in the operations of these establishments. One TCM outlet was not registered under any c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Workers’ Party Reveals Strong New Additions to Its GE2025 Team

  On April 18, 2025, the Workers' Party (WP) presented four more potential candidates ahead of Singapore’s upcoming General Election. Introduced at the party’s headquarters, these new faces are Dr Ong Lue Ping, Mr Jimmy Tan Khim Teck, Ms Alexis Dang Pei Yuan, and Mr Andre Low Wu Yang. Party secretary-general Pritam Singh and chair Sylvia Lim led the introductions. This announcement follows the launch of WP’s 122-page manifesto released a day earlier. Mr Singh declined to reveal the constituencies the new candidates would be fielded in, stating that these details would be shared in the coming days. He also confirmed that the WP had not held discussions with other opposition parties about possible multi-cornered contests. Dr Ong Lue Ping, 48, is a senior principal clinical psychologist at the Institute of Mental Health, specialising in treating children and adolescents with mood, anxiety, and developmental disorders. Prior to 2025, he held senior leadership roles at IMH, including a ...
Post a Comment
Read more